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Australian Olympian Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun, has issued an apology to the nation’s breakdancing community following the global attention and controversy surrounding her unconventional performance at the Paris Olympics. Gunn, who was eliminated from the B-Girls competition with a score of zero, became a polarizing figure as her eccentric routine, featuring moves like the sprinkler and kangaroo-inspired hopping, sparked both ridicule and praise across social media.
In her first interview since the Games, Gunn addressed the backlash and the criticisms of her qualification and performance. When asked on Network 10’s The Project if she genuinely considered herself Australia’s best female breakdancer, she responded, “I think my record speaks to that.” She expressed regret over the negative impact her participation has had on the breakdancing community but emphasized that she cannot control public reaction.
“It is really sad to hear those criticisms and I am very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced,” Gunn said, acknowledging the wave of critiques her performance has provoked online.
Gunn, a 36-year-old university lecturer, faced accusations of manipulating the selection process, including claims that she had established her own governing body and that her husband had judged her qualification trial. These allegations have been firmly denied by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF).
“The conspiracy theories were just awful,” Gunn said, defending her position. “I was the top-ranked Australian B-girl in 2020, 2022, and 2023. I have been invited to represent at numerous World Championships… So, the record is there. But anything can happen in a battle.”
Gunn, who has a background in jazz, tap, and ballroom dancing, defended her Olympic routine as “artistic and creative,” stating that she aimed to stand out by moving differently rather than trying to compete with the power moves typical of breakdancing. Her approach, however, has left the Australian breakdancing scene divided, with some feeling that it “made a mockery” of their sport.
Despite the controversy, Gunn has received support from her fellow Olympians and parts of the broader Olympic breakdancing community. She has also spoken out about the intense media scrutiny she faced following her performance, describing it as “really wild” and revealing that the experience had turned dancing from a source of joy to one of stress.
Gunn admitted that she has not yet been able to watch her Olympic performance back, but she remains focused on the positive aspects, expressing gratitude for the support she has received from some members of the public and her peers. “It so warmed my heart,” she said. “I would rather much focus on the positives out of this and the joy that I’ve brought people.”
